A METHOD FOR PREVENTION OF ARTERIALIZED VENOUS FLAP NECROSIS

The authors used a delayed arteriovenous (A-V) shunt method to prevent congestion and necrosis of arterialized venous flaps. Two weeks befor e elevating the flap, an A-V shunt between the central artery and vein was created at the more proximal flap end. Twelve rabbits (24 flaps) were used for this experiment. Flaps were followed for 4 weeks. Twelve of 24 flaps survived completely; another 10 flaps showed partial necr osis; and two flaps became completely necrotic. These results demonstr ated that this method is superior to a simple A-V shunt in preventing congestion and necrosis in the arterialized venous flap.